The December Team Player

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The HR Team December 2007 Newsletter

Happy December! The weather is getting a bit colder out there, but some days it is quite pleasant and sunny. I am reminded of a somewhat cold (50 degrees) but sunny Saturday in December a number of years ago. The sun was so bright and the sky was so clear, you would have thought that it was 75 degrees outside. My son, who must have been 5 at the time, decided that it was sprinkler weather, and insisted that he be allowed to get his bathing suit on and run around outside in the sprinkler. Five year olds can be stubborn, and there wasn't anything my husband and I could have said or done to convince our son that it wasn't happening. We had him walk outside fully clothed for a while, but he was determined. So after a few hours, we said, get your bathing suit on, we'll run the sprinkler for you. Our son promptly ran up to his room to change, my husband prepared the sprinkler, and I started a warm bath. Long story short, the little guy ran outside in the sprinkler for about 30 seconds and then ran back into the house and promptly into the bath tub. That was the last time he requested to jump in the sprinkler - that winter. Sometimes, no matter how many times we are told that something is a bad idea, the only way we can learn is by trying it ourselves.

Do you have a workplace or life story to share? If so, send it along to me and I may publish it in "The Team Player".

USCIS Issues New I-9 Form by Melissa Jones

The United States Customs and Immigration Service (USCIS) recently issued a revised version of Form I-9, the form which is used by employers to record the employment eligibility of new employees. The revised version supersedes and replaces all previous versions of the form. Employers are required to use the new version of the form starting December 26, 2007. Employers may incur fines and penalties if they do not use the new form.

The most important changes to the I-9 relate to the documents that may be used to complete the I-9 form. USCIS has significantly revised the list of documents that may be used to verify both identity and work authorization. In addition, the instructions for I-9 completion now indicate that unless an employer is involved in the e-Verify program offered by USCIS, the employer may not require the employee to provide a social security number when completing the form. The employee may provide it voluntarily.

The method and timeframe for completing the I-9 remain the same. Employers should always keep in mind that they cannot use the I-9 as a screening tool for hiring purposes, and they cannot require employees to present more or different verification documents than are required to complete the form.

In addition to the new I-9, USCIS has issued a new version of its Handbook for Employers, a useful manual for I-9 compliance. Links to both documents are below and available at www.uscis.gov.

Melissa Jones is an attorney with the law firm of Tydings and Rosenberg, she can be reached at 410.752.9765 or mjones@tydingslaw.com.

http://www.uscis.gov/files/nativedocuments/m-274.pdf

http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-9.pdf

2008 Mileage Rates

The Internal Revenue Service issued the 2008 optional standard mileage rates used to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business, charitable, medical or moving purposes.

Beginning Jan. 1, 2008, the standard mileage rates for the use of a car (including vans, pickups or panel trucks) will be:

• 50.5 cents per mile for business miles driven;
• 19 cents per mile driven for medical or moving purposes; and
• 14 cents per mile driven in service of charitable organizations.

The new rate for business miles compares to a rate of 48.5 cents per mile for 2007. The new rate for medical and moving purposes compares to 20 cents in 2007. The rate for miles driven in service of charitable organizations has remained the same.

The standard mileage rate for business is based on an annual study of the fixed and variable costs of operating an automobile; the standard rate for medical and moving purposes is based on the variable costs as determined by the same study. Runzheimer International, an independent contractor, conducted the study for the IRS.

Mentoring Opportunity

Network 2000, Inc., is a Maryland nonprofit promoting the advancement of women in professional and executive positions. Network 2000 believes strongly in developing women leaders, mentoring has been a key component in Network's outreach for more than ten years. In that time, over 100 talented professional women [mentees] in mid-career have participated in the organization's Mentoring Program and have had the opportunity to work with Network 2000 members, one-on-one, observing, questioning, learning and advancing in their chosen professions.

Beginning in the spring of 2008, Network 2000 will launch Effective Impact, a new Mentoring Program. Effective Impact combines formal and informal sessions for mentor-mentee consultation along with an orientation and multi-session professional development component. The professional development workshops are interactive and feature outstanding experts from Network's own membership as well as outside organizations. The sessions focus on building expertise in key business areas and maintaining life balance.

Applications are being accepted through December 31st for the Spring 2008 class. Therefore, if you know of anyone who may be interested, please encourage her to apply by visiting the website http://www.network2000md.org/mentoring_program/ and downloading an application.

Upcoming Event

Dec 12, 2007: 5:30pm - 8:00pm; The Capital Hilton, Creating a Culture of Recognition. Bob Nelson, author of the best selling book of "1001 Ways to Reward Employees" is the key speaker.

http://www.hra-nca.org/events/event_view.asp?id=E00253

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